Meet tannie Ans Botha, the woman behind Wayde

Meet tannie Ans Botha, the woman behind Wayde

The focus at the Olympics Games in Rio has shifted to the Olympic village yesterday after South African, Wayde van Niekerk made history.  

Tannie Ans Botha
Photo: Norrie Williamson

The world's media has turned their focus to the person behind Wayde van Niekerk's success, 74-year-old Namibian "Tannie" Ans Botha.


Van Niekerk had the Olympic Stadium on their feet, when he won South Africa's first gold medal in the 400 meters.


He has been working with Botha in Bloemfontein in preparation for the Olympics.


The lederly Botha is herself a former athlete, whose been coaching since 1968 and she was also responsible for the success of Namibian sprinter Frankie Fredericks.


Botha says despite Wayde's success, he's still got his sights set on running in the 200 metres in the future.


"Perhaps we will go back to the 200 meter but we haven't finally decided about the new strategy and the way forward," Botha said.

Tannie Ans Botha
Photo: Norrie Williamson

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